A shootout occurred near the White House

Matt Quinn, Deputy Director of the U.S. Secret Service, noted that moments before the shooting began, Secret Service officers and agents patrolling the outer perimeter of the White House complex spotted a suspicious individual who appeared to be armed with a firearm, CNN reports.

The man began to flee when uniformed Secret Service agents approached him and opened fire at the officers. The officers returned fire, wounding the man.

Authorities are investigating whether the suspect attempted to enter the White House.

The suspect is a 45-year-old man who previously lived in Maryland and Texas. He sustained injuries to his torso and is currently in stable condition at a local hospital.

A teenager who happened to be nearby and was shot by the suspect was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No Secret Service agents were injured.

Shortly before the shooting, Vice President J.D. Vance’s motorcade was passing through the area where the incident occurred. Vance’s motorcade changed its route as a precaution while his security team assessed the situation.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke at an event in the East Room of the White House shortly after the first reports of the shooting.

Photo: screenshot.